hamburger

noun

ham·​burg·​er ˈham-ˌbər-gər 

variants or hamburg

ˈham-ˌbərg 

1

a

: ground beef

b

: a patty of ground beef

2

: a sandwich consisting of a patty of hamburger in a split typically round bun

Examples of hamburger in a Sentence

They served hot dogs and hamburgers at the cookout.

Add the cooked hamburger to the sauce.

Recent Examples on the Web

Whataburger, a little hamburger stand that started in Texas and grew into a national chain, could be opening its southernmost location so far in Florida. —James A. Jones Jr., Miami Herald, 5 June 2024

Also present were nearly 700 guests, well fed with hamburgers, coleslaw, baked beans, chips, soda and ice cream donated by the state’s judicial workers. —Frederick Melo, Twin Cities, 24 May 2024

Children’s menus are typically available, too, with options like chicken tenders, hot dogs and hamburgers. —Rachel Bernhard, Journal Sentinel, 21 May 2024

Fittingly, Burger King is offering fans a free hamburger with a purchase of $0.70 or more. —Sabrina Weiss, Peoplemag, 8 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

German Hamburger of Hamburg, Germany

First Known Use

1884, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Kids Definition

hamburger

noun

ham·​burg·​er ˈham-ˌbər-gər 

variants or hamburg

-ˌbərg 

1

a

: ground beef

b

: a cooked patty of ground beef

2

: a sandwich consisting of a patty of hamburger in a split round bun

Etymology

German Hamburger (adjective) "of Hamburg," city in Germany

Word Origin

It may seem odd that there isn't any ham in a hamburger. The origins of the word hamburger, however, have nothing to do with a type of meat. The word really comes from the name of the German city Hamburg. Hamburger, when capitalized, means "of Hamburg." Cakes of ground beef, often served raw, were a popular food in northern Germany in the 19th century, and so they became known in English as Hamburger steaks. The name was later shortened to hamburger. Most people no longer associate the word hamburger with the city of Hamburg, since the hamburger is now usually thought of as an American food.